In this candid and encouraging episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Heather Thompson, CHRO of the Nashville Zoo, to explore what it really takes to balance a demanding career, family life, and personal well-being. Drawing from her years in HR, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership, Heather shares how intentional boundaries and realistic expectations have helped her navigate seasons of change, heavy workloads, and the emotional demands of supporting others.
From carving out uninterrupted family time to embracing the power of “no,” Heather offers practical strategies for protecting your energy without sacrificing your impact. She and Shelly discuss the burnout epidemic, especially in HR, and how leaders can model the work-life balance they want their teams to embrace. They also unpack the importance of meaningful work, spiritual grounding, and focusing on what’s truly within your control.
Whether you’re a leader managing people, a parent juggling multiple roles, or simply looking for ways to stay grounded in a busy season, this conversation is full of real-life wisdom and permission to prioritize what matters most.
Key Takeaways:
Protect the hours that matter: Heather shares how setting a non-negotiable block of family time each evening keeps her grounded.
The power of “no”: Saying no to lower-value commitments makes space for what’s truly important.
Burnout has many roots: Emotional load, constant change, and operational overwhelm can all play a role.
Leaders must model balance: Policies mean little without leaders actively creating space for employees to rest and disconnect.
Meaningful work fuels resilience: Aligning your job with your values makes it easier to weather challenges.
Focus on what’s in your control: Letting go of what you can’t change frees up energy for what you can.
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Host Shelly O’Neal is a therapist, life coach, substance abuse professional, and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. She is an entrepreneur, owner of two companies, along with being the founder of a non-profit that assists children and families dealing with issues such as abuse, addiction, trauma, and suicide.
Shelly is the founder and CEO of a healthcare company with several locations in Kentucky. Her company provides both mental health and psychiatric medical services to children, teens, and adults in Kentucky.
SO Wellness, is located in Nashville, Tennessee and focuses on helping both individuals and companies develop wellness programs to improve employee mental health and corporate wellness.
Shelly addresses the needs of C-Suite individuals and high-profile clients. She has been featured on various media outlets including ABC’s WKM, NBC’s WSMV-4, MorningLine and Yahoo! Finance along with publications such as Authority Magazine, Medium Magazine, and Bellevue City Lifestyle
Learn more about Shelly and SO Wellness on her website: shellyonealwellness.com
Connect with her online:
https://www.instagram.com/shellyonealwellness/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-o%E2%80%99neal-39a310aa/
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Heather Thompson is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Nashville Zoo, bringing more than two decades of experience across HR, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. She is passionate about creating supportive, balanced workplaces where both people and organizations can thrive. A devoted wife and mom, Heather believes in leading with empathy, intentionality, and realistic expectations, at work and at home.
Connect with her online: linkedin.com/in/heather-thompson-phr-shrm-scp-2191972b/
